Life in San Francisco
The Bay Area offers a vibrant lifestyle and a welcoming culture that is unique to the city. Home to Silicon Valley, many young professionals, tech gurus, and entrepreneurs flock to the area to be part of the thriving tech scene. The city is also known for its fabulous food scene, exciting nightlife, beautiful nature, and mild weather. As the cultural and financial epicenter of Northern California, the city attracts millions of visitors and newcomers every year. The Gold Rush of 1849 made San Francisco the most popular city on the west coast, and today it is known for its hipster vibe, rich history, and iconic landmarks.
Cost of Living in San Francisco
For a city that has so much to offer, it should come as no surprise that San Francisco is one of the most expensive cities to live in. Although it is comparable to cities like New York, the Frisco lifestyle doesn’t come cheap. The cost of living in San Francisco is 80% higher than the national average, with housing coming in at 231% higher than the national average. San Francisco’s notoriously high rent will take up the largest chunk of your budget, so keep that in mind when looking for a place to live. You can expect to pay about $2,157 for a one-bedroom apartment and $2,496 for a two-bedroom apartment. Consider your income and lifestyle when planning your move to the Bay Area.
San Francisco Neighborhoods
Choosing a neighborhood is one of the most important decisions you will make when you relocate. San Francisco has a number of unique neighborhoods, each with its own character and amenities. Here are some of the most popular neighborhoods in San Francisco.
Castro District: The Castro District is a thriving neighborhood that is popular among the LGBTQ community. It is located close to Twin Peaks and boasts a bustling nightlife, bars and restaurants, and incredible views of the city.
Mission District: The Mission District has historically been populated by the Hispanic community and has a truly unique culture. You will notice hundreds of colorful murals along the streets, local stores selling pinatas and fresh produce, and tasty taquerias.
Noe Valley: Noe Valley is a popular neighborhood for families and features quaint shops, a Saturday farmer’s market, and dog-friendly parks and playgrounds.
SoMa: This trendy neighborhood is one of the largest in San Francisco and includes an assortment of warehouses, nightclubs, museums, and also AT&T Park, where the Giants play baseball. You will also find plenty of great restaurants and local food trucks.
Marina District: Packed with boozy brunch sports, beautiful views of the bay, and loads of workout studios, the Marina District is one of the most popular neighborhoods for recent grads and young professionals.
Employment Opportunities
San Francisco is considered the best city in the country for tech jobs. Home to the famed Silicon Valley, many tech companies and startups are headquartered in the area, which allows for many job opportunities. You will find major players like Google, Apple, Salesforce, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Amazon located in the city as well as a host of other tech-related companies. Aside from the technology sector, San Francisco is a significant banking and finance center that is nicknamed the “Wall Street of the West.” It is home to top employers, including the Federal Reserve Bank of SF, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America. Other popular employers include government and educational institutions.
San Francisco Weather
The Golden Gate City is known for having weather that is a little more overcast than its southern neighbors. The city has a Mediterranean climate that includes wet, mild winters and warm, dry summers. It’s not as hot as Southern California, and you can expect more fog, but the overall climate is mild and enjoyable for most of the year.
Transportation in San Francisco
You won’t need a car to get around in San Francisco. Rather, most people rely on public transportation. You can take the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), which is the city’s subway service, to get around from Oakland to the East Bay. You can also utilize streetcars, buses, and the underground train. Rideshare services are also available throughout the city. You can expect to spend an average of $4,900 on transportation as a single adult or about $9,000 for a family.
Food and Drink Scene
San Francisco boasts one of the best culinary scenes in the country. Each neighborhood has its own cuisine and flavor, ranging from Italian and Mexican to Chinese, Russian, and Korean. There are also plenty of iconic dishes that originated in the area, such as fresh sourdough bread. You will find plenty of choices for great restaurants, including fine dining, casual eateries, bakeries, and food trucks. The city is also a popular destination for food events, such as the annual Craft Brew Festival, International Beer Festival, Taste of Greece, and Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival.
Spending Time Outdoors
Despite being a large urban city, San Francisco has plenty of opportunities to explore the outdoors. Lands End Lookout is situated within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and is a beautiful destination to check out the incredible shoreline. Golden Gate Park is also a popular place for golfing, boating, sailing, kitesurfing, and hiking. There are a number of public beaches where you can spend your day relaxing, surfing, or even having a bonfire. Residents are also just a short drive from Muir Woods, home to the world-famous redwood trees.
Helpful guides
We have put together several guides on moving to San Francisco from some popular cities. Read these for more information:
Ready to Move to San Francisco? Allied Van Lines Can Help!
San Francisco offers some of the best food, nightlife, culture, and recreation of anywhere in the country. Not to mention one of the most incredible and iconic backdrops in the world. Though rent and housing are high, the lifestyle is worth the trade-off for SanFran residents. It is an ideal location for young professionals, families, and those looking to experience the excitement of the west coast. As you prepare for your move to San Francisco, the professionals at Allied Van Lines are prepared to help you every step of the way. From packing and loading to transport and unpacking, our full-service movers can do it all. With our 85 years of experience in the moving industry, we know exactly what it takes to execute a seamless move.
Call Allied today for more information about how we can help with your exciting move to San Francisco.